₹60L Cash Deposit Notice? How 1 Widow Won at ITAT

A Pune widow received an income tax notice for ₹60 lakh deposited in her bank account. She had no income of her own. By submitting the right documents — bank statements, husband's death certificate, and an affidavit — she proved the money was legitimate and won at the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal.

Here's what happened: A Pune housewife received an income tax notice demanding explanation for ₹60 lakh deposited in her bank account, despite having no independent income source.. She submitted Form 26AS, an affidavit, her husband's death certificate, bank statements from the deposit period, and a computation sheet to prove the funds were legitimate.. The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) Pune ruled in her favour, accepting her documentary evidence and dropping the 'unexplained cash deposit' assessment..

What you should do: Document every large deposit immediately — save the source (insurance payout letter, property sale deed, gift deed) in a folder the same week the money arrives.. Download Form 26AS from the income tax portal (incometax.gov.in) annually — it is your official record of TDS deducted and is powerful evidence of your actual income profile.. If you receive a tax notice you cannot understand, consult a registered CA or tax advocate before the response deadline — ITAT appeals have strict timelines and missing them can be fatal to your case..

Even housewives with zero taxable income can file a NIL ITR voluntarily — this creates an official income record that makes it far easier to explain large deposits later if the tax department ever questions them.

For readers weighing their credit and loan options, our personal loan guide and CIBIL score resources put this update in context.